Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-06-29

every uuty ds CitiZeu, SOlulcF, anu CnrlSGlan
gentleman, his life a model for the youth
of the country, we feel that there should be
conferred upon him the first honorary de-
gree conferred by Tulane University upon
anybody"
The GROWTH OF CONFIDENCE IN CLEvE-
LAND.-While it may be difficult, says the
Bait. sam, to cast the political horoscope
for the coming year, SO far as it relates to
the question of presidential candidates, it
is not difficult to measure the evident drift
of public opinion at this time to the side of
the present administration. The causes
which have operated to loosen the ties be-
tween President Cleveland and the politi-
clans of his party have been of a character
to widen and deepen public confidence in
him. We have frequently commented up.
on the condition of things, and especially
the civil.service problem, which confronted
him when he first took Office, and shown
how steadily he adhered to the law and to
his pledges in observing both after he took
up the reius. The disappointment which
followed in the ranks of those who were
disciples of the spoils system, and not by
any means willing converts to the new Or
der of things, is now matter of history, as
is the evident GOODNESS of many leading
democrats towards the President, who was
too little of politician to forswear himself.
But during all this time the mass of our
people, who make and unmake parties and
party leaders alike, have been observers of
the march Of events, and have not failed to
note the fidelity of the President to the
business methods sought to be introduced
by the civil-service rules, and his efforts to
keep the whole machinery of his admins
tration upon footing which has tended to
promote confidence and prosperity. Now
the revolt of the first year of his term has
pretty much died out, and the politicians
who then were disposed to turn away from
him are beginning to heed the public voice,
which Enthusiastically approves his course.
A Tree is known by its fruits, and an ad-
ministration can only be judged by its
works. Subjected to this test, it is obvious
that SO well pleased is the thinking, busl-
ness portion of the country with the Presi-
dents departure from the beaten track of
those who preceded him that the spoils sys-
tenn can never again be revived without
doing violence to the best Judgment of the
country. 1t may be true, as has been re-
peatedly said, that President Cleveland
brought to the executive chair a smaller
share of political experience and training
than most. Of those who had filed that high
Office, but he seems to have brought what
was more to the purpose-an honest heart,
clear head, an excellent judgment, and
sufficient share Of will power to make his
mark upon national affairs He has stood
firm in the face of antagonisms in his own
party, always difficult to withstand; he has,
without being headstrong or rash, adhered
to his policy and persisted in his course, in
the presence of hostile Senate, and he
has never been less than the chief of his
administration and the head of his cabinet.
and vigilant, and they have sought every
opportunity to find fault, and to magnify
the slightest error of act OF judgment. To
such the recent order touching the battle
flags has been made much of, and even yet
it is dwelt upon as an event of the utmost
Importance. This gross exaggeration of q
perfectly innocent act, based upon the ap.
parent restoration of fraternal regard be-
tween the sections, shows the poverty of
the resources of those who have been fore.
most in this clap-trap clam0r. They seem
10 forget that one who was their ideal of
hero deliberately braved the will of the peo-
pie in bis desire to annex San Domingo, but
when he found the scheme must fail, bowed
to the public voice and gave it up. Cleve-
land did certainly no less; for recognizing
promptly his error, both in reference to the
public feeling and his own authority, he re-
scinded the order, and like General Grant
abandoned what he doubtless intended for
the public good. 1t is peryersion of truth
to say be designed to make political capital
in the South by his act, for there is nothing
more to indicate such purpose in his case
than in that of Charles Sumner, who fell
for a time under the displeasure of his
State for an effort to get rid of war tro-
plies. Massachusetts lived to regret it's act
censuring him, and ere many years those
who find fault with the Presidents act with |
justify it as at least patriotic. In addition |
to all else, the republican simplicity of the |
Presidents life brings him in close sympa-
thy with the people. In all his domestic |
relations the White House group COM mands |
respect and admiration. Such an example |
is worth something to people, for the I'M
conscious influence of vice or virtue in high |
places is greater than is generally suppos.
ed. President Cleveland is simply manag-
ing the affairs of the country as prudent |
and painstaking business man might man.
age his private affairs. Trusted clerks are
retained, and when new agents are appoint
ed they are selected not because of political
influence, but with view to their capacity
and fitness for the work to be done. We
are much mistaken if the country does not
appreciate all this, and will doubtless be
ready to show its appreciation in the right
way when the contest of 1888 takes place.
RUNAwAY-Last Friday evening ser-
BUS runaway and smash-up occurred be-